Latin Jazz at MAC650! It’s ON for the Summer!!

by Jorge Arévalo Mateus




The first Latin jazz workshop of the summer of ’09 turned out some exciting new players, including Wesleyan musicians Eric Sherman on trumpet and Joseph Getter on clarinet. Together with the ensemble’s percussion lineup of Gregg Allen, Ron Shepherd, and Oscar Colon, the ensemble’s sound is expanding and the rhythm was popping; even saxophonist Dave Davis was heard sitting in on bongos!



Since the bimonthly gatherings began (every first and third Tuesday of the month), the workshop continues to grow as a space for some Latin-flavored experimentation right in the heart of Connecticut. Even bassist Thomas Van Green showed up and the session decidedly took a turn toward the Funk! Although the workshop is primarily for Latin jazz rhythms, melodies, and harmonies, no reason not to get funky, at least once in a while!

Added to the ensemble’s rep was Joe Henderson’s “Recordame,” so practice up, and get ready, we are going to hit it again. Come on down and be ready to play! For the next session, we’ll get back to some basic rhythm patterns: rumba columbia, yambu, guaguanco, and cumbia!!!

Hope you can join us at our next session, scheduled for June 16th at 7 pm sharp!

Pa’lante!